Isometric view of Quick-burst tester. The machine consists of a sample assembly station, a containment tank, two mechanical accessory stations and a control panel.
Dimensions of machine in inches.
Similar to the in-line hydrotester, the quick-burst tester had to be a modular design that could be shipped using standard 40ft shipping containers. This image shows machine in its packed configuration.
Special plug tooling had to be designed to perform the tests. Each tooling head could be used for multiple pipe sizes, requiring a system of internal ducting for draining and pressurization.
Given that the machine was designed to be semi-automatic, operator access was paramount. The machine layout was designed to maximize user accessibility and ensure single user operation.
Additionally, alignment tools were built into the machine and tooling design, to help the operator assemble the specimens.
This image shows the two different specimen types that can be tested in the machine.
The maximum force exerted onto the plug tooling used in the test is ~850,000 lbf at each end.
The maximum axial load seen by the containment structure of the machine was ~1,700,000 lbf. FEA was used to ensure the integrity of the design and its fatigue resistance.
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Quick-burst Tester
The quick-burst tester is an off-line hydrotesting machine designed to test 54 inch long specimens of AWWA C900 and C905 tubes or tube joints to between 3.75 and 5 times their rated pressure, in order to certify the structural integrity of the material. It can test specimens that range from 12 to 36 inches in diameter.
This is a semi-automated machine, where the operator guides the sample through certain parts of the testing process.
